Finding a Rabbit to Adopt

On Rabbit Rehome you can search for individual rabbits to adopt or
locate your local rescue
centres. We only publish a small portion of the thousands of rabbits available, so you should always contact
your local rescue if you cannot find any suitable rabbits listed.

Contacting a Rescue

Be patient when contacting a rescue and follow any guidelines they provide on the best way to get in touch.
Smaller rescues
maybe run by volunteers who work full time in addition to their volunteer work
and they may only be available via telephone in the evenings/weekends. Provide a landline line number,
where possible, as mobiles are more expensive for the rescue to respond to. If you only have a mobile
then when the rescue calls you could offer to call them back to reduce their phone bill.

When you contact a rescue provide them the information they need to respond. If you
are enquiring about adoption the rescue will need to know:

Where you live

How to contact you

what rabbit or type of rabbits you want

What rabbit accommodation you have

Any other information that might be relevant to the adoption - such as other pets you have

Providing this information upfront will help the rescue respond to you faster and more effeciently.

Rescues are often very busy and you may not receive an instant response. Please allow several
days before following up your message.

Adoption Requirements

You should ask the rescue you plan to adopt from what requirements they have for
adopters. Check this before you purchase equipment, particularly cages and
hutches. Many rescues have specific requirements for accommodation sizes; they may also
be able to recommend the best places to purchase them. Rescues may also have other
requirements such as the distance you live from the rescue (to accommodate home checks).

Visiting a Rescue

Visiting a rescue gives you the opportunity to meet the rabbits
available and discuss the adoption process. You may like to take a list of
questions with you to ask the volunteers.

Before you go, heck whether the rescue has set opening hours or you need to make
an appointment. If you arrange to visit the rescue and are no longer able to go then
let the rescue know. They may have disrupted their routine to accommodate your visit.
Ask the rescue where you should park, if the rescue is in a residential area please
be courteous to neighbours and not block their access. Complaints from neighbours
can lead to councils shutting down rescues.

Choosing a Rabbit

The rescue will guide you towards suitable rabbits is you explain your
requirements. Depending on the rescue you may be left to read the rabbits information
or be shown a selection of rabbits that meet your requirements.

Getting Your Rabbit a Friend

If you have a single rabbit and are planning to adopt a friend for it then the rescue may help
you with bonding (introducing them). To get the most promising potential match you may be allowed
to bring your rabbit to the rescue to meet the available rabbits and see which they get on
with - a dating service. If you do this then your rabbit must have current vaccinations for
its own safety and that of the other rabbits at the rescue.

Rabbit introductions must be done on neutral territory to
prevent fighting so some rescues offer a bonding service where your rabbit and the new rabbit
spend several hours/days at the rescue in neutral territory being introduced.

Pre-Adoption Checks

Before you take your new rabbit home, the rescue will want to reassure themselves
that you will be providing a suitable home. The checks they make are not because they
think you are a bad person, but to ensure that people don't take rabbits
they are not adequately prepared to look after.

Pre-adoption checks may include some or all of the following: a verbal or written
interview, a visit to your home to check where the rabbit will be living and
references (e.g. from your vet).

If the rescue identifies a problem during the checks they will explain what the
problem is, why it's a problem and how you could change things to comply with their
requirements. For example if your accommodation is too small they may suggest
attaching an extra run to add more room.

Adoption Contract

Most rescues will ask you to sign a contract when you adopt a rabbit. This involves
agreeing to terms such as vaccinating your rabbit regularly, providing vet care if needed and
returning the rabbit to the rescue if you can no longer care for it. Each rescue's adoption
agreement differs slightly so you should read it carefully before you sign.

Staying Intouch

If you have a problem or any questions after you have adopted a rabbit ask the rescue
for advice - they will be happy to offer you support.

When your rabbit has settled in to your home you may like to update the rescue on its
progress. Rescues enjoy receiving updates on the animals they have spent time working with.